King Ahasuerus Allows Mordecai to Write an Edict for the Empire Which Will Protect the Jews and Counter the Evil Edict Which Haman Wrote to Annihilate the Jews
Esther 8

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Lesson 8

background notes

doctrinal points

  1. God can control the rulers of a nation.
  2. God can control the laws of a nation.
  3. God can control the emotions of a nation.

practical application

Don’t miss the gospel in Esther chapter 8.

questions

  1. Review the events of Esther 7.
  2. What happened to Haman’s estate?
  3. Why were the Jews still in danger after the death of Haman?
  4. How were the Jews saved?
  5. What did this new decree permit?

answers

  1. Haman and his wicked plot to annihilate the Jews were exposed by Queen Esther. Haman was put to death on the gallows he had intended for Mordecai.
  2. Everything Haman owned was given to Esther, and she gave it to Mordecai.
  3. The edict that Haman had written to annihilate the Jews was still in effect, and it could not be revoked.
  4. The king gave Esther and Mordecai authority to write another edict which would overrule the former one.
  5. This decree gave all the Jews in the Persian Empire the right to defend themselves on the day they were to be attacked. The fear of the Jews fell upon those who formerly planned to hurt them.

discuss\ consider

  1. Discuss how quickly things changed for Esther and Mordecai. Their situation seemed bleak, but in just a day’s time it was completely turned around. Has God ever done this with you?
  2. Discuss the anti-biblical laws of our nation today. Can God overturn these laws? Certainly He can. What is our responsibility in the meantime?

challenge

The blessing in Esther 8 illustrates the blessing of the gospel now. As the Jews were facing death, because of a law that could not be revoked, so mankind is faced with death because of the law of sin. Just as there was a way of deliverance for Esther and her people, there is a way for us. The old edict, the wages of sin is death, was not revoked. But a new edict overruled the old, the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

memorize

  • “Esther appointed Mordecai over the house of Haman.” Esther 8:2
  • “And in every province and city, wherever the king’s command and decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a holiday.” Esther 8:17

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